Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Chrono'ed some 7mm-08 120 NBT loads

I'm working up a load for my Weatherby UL 7mm-08. Here's some preliminary (single shots or abbreviated string) data for the 120 NBT:

50.0 grains Big Game: 3165 ft/sec, ES 8.9, st dev 4.9 (4 shot string).

52.0 grains Big Game (2 shots): 3247 & 3277 ft/sec.

44.0 grains Varget (1 shot): 2991 ft/sec.

45.0 grains Varget (1 shot): 3062 ft/sec.

60 degree outside temp.
No pressure signs. The 52 grain load was stout compared to the other 7mm-08 loads but miniscule compared to my .30-06.

Boy howdy does that bullet get moving out of a 24" barrel! Next step, accuracy at the range.

P

Sounds hot to me. That is about what I get with Varget in my 7mm08 AI and the primer pockets get loose at around 5 reloads. I did drop back a little to try to prevent this but have not shot individual casings enough to know yet. I hope this is a good load because I would like to try it in my rifle. miles

Sounds pretty warm.

Nosler #6 data for the 120gr ballistic tip lists as max 52gr big game at 3262fps, 50gr at 3190fps.
So I'm in the ballpark.

Ran the 120 btip with varget , h414 , h4350 and all topped out just above 3,000 fps in my 22" Abolt , with good accuracy but the poi was way off from any 140 bullets so never tried it on game . Any one tried the new alliant mr2000 powder ?

62 degrees????!!! You lucky MF

It does sound warm, even tho it may not be showing signs now. I ran it on QL with your given info and added the oal of 2.850 which is my normal lenght for cartridges based off the .308. QL came up with just over 70,000 psi. I know alot of us shoot warm loads, the downside to this is brass life and such.

I'd say the 52gr load would be a touch warm for me. 51gr and 3,200+/- would be my route in that instance.

Just shot my 7-08 yesterday for the first time in 3 years. My 120 BT and 61 grains of Big Game load provided rather stiff bolt lift and pronounced ejector marks. Didn't remember that from last time. I had previously tried the 52 grain max in the Nosler manual, but saw definite pressure signs. Intend to drop back another grain today.

Proof that every rifle is a law unto itself and book loads still must be treated with caution.

I did shoot 3 antelope with that 51 grain load 3 years ago. Very accurate, but obviously, too much of a good thing!

My other go to load is the 140 grain BT or Accubond over IMR 4350. Very accurate with 2875 fps or so velocity. It may get the nod for this year's antelope backup to the 280AI.

YES! That is my go-to 7-08 powder. I have not loaded the 120 NBTs yet but my standard 140 load does 2940 in a 22" brrl and is under the Hornady book max by .2 grains. Precision and Velocity SD is superb. It is so good it has crushed my will to tinker with other load combos. That is really why the box of 120s is still sitting in the cabinet. When I got the 140 up to near 3000 and killed a few things with it, including a 600 yard Pronghorn kill, I quit messing around. It is a devastating combo on everything it has touched.

MR2000. tell me about this powder??

Alliant 2000-MR

Thanks, I'm having a devil of a time deciding on a load for my 7mm08. I saw your load on a thread below and will try it out.
thanks

Let me tell you fer sure, the 120NBT @ 3,250 just kills the livin' SNOT out of bull elk and mooses. I've done it more than a few times and the combination is purely deadly!!!

Blessings,

Steve

Steve,
I was hoping you would chime in, being the Voice of Experience.
A question: from a standard (non AI) 7mm-08 @ 3200 or so, what kind of brass life should I expect before the primer pockets go?
Remington brass.

P

Pharm,

Remington brass? I have no idea.

I'm using nickel-plated Winchester brass and the cases last forever. I don't recall losing one and some of the cases have been fired ten times.

Steve

Steve, have you tried that bullet on an elk shoulder? I am wondering if it stands up adequately to that as compared to ripping the jugular out. Thanks.

Twice on mature bulls. It absolutely breaks both sholders (they were "rattley," if you know what that means). Both bullets were caught just under the far hide ... opened to approx. .75-inch and the lead was still lodged in the jacket. I've forgotten the recovered bullet weight, but it was arounmd 90-grains.

Would I double-shoulder another adult bull elk with the 120's ... forgetting the loss of meat? Yes.

Most likely, if I had another shot that would waste less meat, I'd take it.

Would I worry about the 120's lack of ability to penetrate and to kill? NO.

Steve

I've had good luck with 2000MR using 120 gr and 139 gr bullets loading for my wife's 7-08ai. Like you, I also got 2940 fps - this was with 139 gr Horn SP, and it was using Hornady's max load, and was very accurate. With 120 gr TTSX, it is very easy to reach 3200 fps with 2000MR. Hope took this Mid-MO 9 pointer at 40 yards last year using that combination. Right through the ball of his on-side shoulder, exited out through the off-side shoulder.

---

"Blessed is the man whose wife is his best friend - especially if she likes to HUNT!"

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

The loads at over 3200 FPS are at a velocity considerably above any published data that I've seen, indicating likely high pressure according to conventional wisdom.

Why don't you measure the CHE on a few & get back to us; ANY CHE indicates very high pressure, as in over 70K PSI, according to most who regularly post here & discount the value of CHE.

I'll take a WAG & say that those loads will show .0005" CHE.

MM